Top 10 Public High Schools in Nebraska

Direct Answer

The Best Overall public high school in Nebraska is Millard North High School in Omaha, a large, consistently top-ranked school whose students post strong ACT scores, an exceptional AP catalog, and high college-matriculation rates into the University of Nebraska system and beyond.

The Best Value pick is Lincoln East High School in Lincoln, which delivers broad AP access, strong graduation outcomes, and a deep activities program at zero tuition — the best free public return for families in the capital city. This list is built for Nebraska families and students deciding where to live, enroll, or transfer, covering schools across the Omaha metro, Lincoln, and the fast-growing Sarpy County suburbs.

Every pick uses real, publicly reported enrollment, test, and graduation data from the Nebraska Department of Education, U.S. News, and Niche.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each high school against the priorities Nebraska families actually raise with counselors and district offices. We leaned on published figures from the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE), U.S. News, Niche, GreatSchools, College Board, and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The weighting:

• Academic performance (test scores, proficiency) — 25%
• College and post-grad outcomes — 20%
• Value and cost (free public access, resources per student) — 15%
• Teachers and resources — 15%
• Environment and safety — 15%
• Extracurriculars and fit — 10%

A school that posts strong scores but graduates few students, or fields great teams but struggles academically, drops fast. The winners balance all six.

1. Millard North High School (Omaha) 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families who want the strongest all-around academics and college pipeline in the state

Millard North High School, in Douglas County, is the flagship of the Millard Public Schools district and enrolls roughly 2,400 students across grades 9–12. It posts an average ACT near 24, among the highest of any Nebraska public, and a graduation rate around 95%.

The school offers one of the state's deepest Advanced Placement catalogs — more than 20 courses spanning calculus, the sciences, languages, and the arts — plus a renowned International Baccalaureate-style enrichment and strong dual-enrollment ties. A student-teacher ratio near 16:1, championship academic decathlon and DECA teams, and elite music and athletics make it the most complete public school in Nebraska.

Pros:

• Average ACT near 24, among the highest in Nebraska
• 20-plus AP courses and a renowned enrichment program
• Graduation rate around 95%
• Championship academic, music, and athletics programs

Cons:

• Large enrollment can feel impersonal for some students
• Competitive culture is intense for certain learners

Verdict: Millard North wins on balance — top academics, a powerful college pipeline, and resources no other Nebraska public matches.

2. Elkhorn South High School (Omaha)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: West-Omaha families wanting a modern, high-achieving suburban school

Elkhorn South High School, in Douglas County, serves about 1,800 students in the booming Elkhorn district on Omaha's western edge. It posts an average ACT near 23 and a graduation rate around 96%, supported by a broad AP catalog and dual-enrollment ties to the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Modern facilities, strong STEM labs, and a powerhouse athletics tradition — including multiple state titles — give Elkhorn South a polished, fast-rising profile. A student-teacher ratio near 16:1 keeps the growing campus balanced.

Pros:

• Average ACT near 23 with a broad AP catalog
• Graduation rate around 96%
• Modern STEM facilities and powerhouse athletics
• Dual-enrollment ties to UNO

Cons:

• Rapid district growth strains capacity
• Affluent draw area can feel less diverse

Verdict: A top suburban pick — modern facilities, elite athletics, and strong academics in west Omaha.

3. Lincoln East High School 💎 BEST VALUE

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Capital-city families wanting the best free public return

Lincoln East High School, in Lancaster County, serves roughly 2,000 students and is the best value play on this list. It delivers an average ACT near 23, a graduation rate around 93%, and one of the broadest Advanced Placement catalogs in the capital — all at zero tuition.

Proximity to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln opens dual-enrollment, internship, and mentorship doors, while a student-teacher ratio near 17:1 keeps classes manageable. Strong music, speech and debate, and athletics programs add depth for the cost of a public enrollment.

Pros:

• Broad AP catalog and roughly 23 average ACT at no tuition
• Graduation rate around 93%
• Dual-enrollment and internship access through UNL
• Deep speech, music, and athletics programs

Cons:

• Outcomes trail Millard North at the very top end
• Large enrollment can dilute individual attention

Verdict: The value champion — Lincoln East delivers near-top academics and UNL access for the price of a free public seat.

4. Westside High School (Omaha)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Central-Omaha families wanting a flexible, college-prep program

Westside High School, in Douglas County, enrolls about 2,000 students in the well-regarded Westside Community Schools district. It posts an average ACT near 23 and a graduation rate around 92%, distinguished by a flexible modular scheduling system that gives students unusual independence and a college-like rhythm.

A wide AP catalog, dual-enrollment options, and strong arts and athletics round out the program. A student-teacher ratio near 16:1 and an innovative academic culture make Westside a longtime Omaha favorite.

Pros:

• Flexible modular scheduling building college-ready independence
• Average ACT near 23 with a wide AP catalog
• Graduation rate around 92%
• Strong arts, athletics, and dual-enrollment options

Cons:

• Self-directed scheduling suits some students better than others
• Top-end scores trail Millard North

Verdict: The innovative college-prep pick — Westside's flexible model builds independence alongside strong academics.

5. Millard West High School (Omaha)

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: West-Omaha families wanting Millard academics with a large activities slate

Millard West High School, in Douglas County, serves roughly 2,400 students and shares the strong academic DNA of the Millard district. It posts an average ACT near 23 and a graduation rate around 94%, with a deep AP catalog, dual-enrollment access, and an exceptionally broad activities program.

The school's size funds championship athletics, large music ensembles, and standout DECA and journalism programs. A student-teacher ratio near 16:1 keeps the busy, full-service campus balanced.

Pros:

• Average ACT near 23 with a deep AP catalog
• Graduation rate around 94%
• Exceptional breadth of clubs, DECA, and athletics
• Strong Millard district resources and teachers

Cons:

• Large enrollment can feel impersonal
• Sits a notch below Millard North at the top end

Verdict: A top west-Omaha all-rounder — Millard academics paired with one of the deepest activities slates in the state.

6. Lincoln Southwest High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Lincoln families wanting a strong, modern southwest-side school

Lincoln Southwest High School, in Lancaster County, serves about 1,900 students on Lincoln's growing southwest side. It posts an average ACT near 22 and a graduation rate around 93%, with a solid AP catalog and dual-enrollment ties to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Modern facilities, strong STEM and arts programs, and competitive athletics give the school a polished feel. A student-teacher ratio near 17:1 and an engaged community make Southwest a steady favorite among capital-city families.

Pros:

• Average ACT near 22 with a solid AP catalog
• Graduation rate around 93%
• Modern facilities and strong STEM and arts programs
• UNL dual-enrollment access

Cons:

• Outcomes sit just below Lincoln East
• Growing enrollment pressures capacity

Verdict: A strong modern pick — Southwest pairs solid academics with new facilities on Lincoln's growing edge.

7. Papillion-La Vista South High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Sarpy County families wanting a high-achieving suburban school

Papillion-La Vista South High School, in Sarpy County, enrolls about 1,800 students in one of the Omaha metro's fastest-growing suburbs. It posts an average ACT near 22 and a graduation rate around 94%, with a broad AP catalog and dual-enrollment options through area colleges.

Strong STEM, JROTC, and athletics programs reflect the community's military and engineering ties near Offutt Air Force Base. A student-teacher ratio near 17:1 keeps the modern campus balanced and well-resourced.

Pros:

• Average ACT near 22 with a broad AP catalog
• Graduation rate around 94%
• Strong STEM, JROTC, and athletics programs
• Modern, well-resourced suburban campus

Cons:

• Top-end scores trail the Omaha leaders
• Rapid suburban growth strains capacity

Verdict: The Sarpy County standout — a high-achieving, well-resourced suburban school with strong STEM ties.

8. Gretna High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Sarpy County families wanting a fast-rising community school

Gretna High School, in Sarpy County, serves roughly 1,600 students in one of Nebraska's fastest-growing communities southwest of Omaha. It posts an average ACT near 22 and a graduation rate around 95%, with an expanding AP catalog and dual-enrollment access.

Recent facility investment, including new campus construction to handle booming enrollment, plus strong athletics and a tight-knit community feel make Gretna one of the most promising programs in the metro. A student-teacher ratio near 17:1 keeps classes manageable as the district grows.

Pros:

• Average ACT near 22 and a high 95% graduation rate
• Expanding AP catalog and dual-enrollment access
• Recent facility investment and new campus construction
• Strong athletics and tight-knit community feel

Cons:

• Newer programs still building deep traditions
• Explosive growth strains classroom capacity

Verdict: The rising star — Gretna pairs a high graduation rate with strong momentum and new facilities.

9. Omaha Central High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Families wanting a historic, diverse, college-prep magnet experience

Omaha Central High School, in Douglas County, is the oldest high school in Nebraska and enrolls roughly 2,500 students in a landmark downtown building. It posts an average ACT near 21 and a graduation rate around 88%, distinguished by a rigorous AP and dual-enrollment program, a celebrated debate and academic-competition tradition, and one of the most diverse student bodies in the state.

A student-teacher ratio near 17:1 and deep ties to University of Nebraska at Omaha and local employers give Central a distinctive college-prep character rooted in history.

Pros:

• Rigorous AP program and celebrated debate tradition
• One of the most diverse student bodies in Nebraska
• Historic downtown campus with strong college ties
• Strong dual-enrollment access through UNO

Cons:

• Average ACT near 21 reflects a wide-ranging student body
• Graduation rate around 88% trails the suburban leaders

Verdict: The historic college-prep pick — Central blends rigor, diversity, and tradition in the heart of Omaha.

10. Lincoln Southeast High School

Type: Public | Tuition: Free (public) | Best for: Lincoln families wanting an established, well-rounded capital-city school

Lincoln Southeast High School, in Lancaster County, serves about 1,900 students and is one of Lincoln's most established public high schools. It posts an average ACT near 22 and a graduation rate around 91%, with a dependable AP catalog, dual-enrollment ties to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and strong music, speech, and athletics programs.

A student-teacher ratio near 17:1 and a loyal community give Southeast a balanced, well-rounded character that capital-city families consistently praise.

Pros:

• Average ACT near 22 with a dependable AP catalog
• Graduation rate around 91%
• Strong music, speech, and athletics traditions
• UNL dual-enrollment access

Cons:

• Outcomes sit below Lincoln East at the top end
• Older facilities need periodic modernization

Verdict: A well-rounded capital-city pick — Southeast offers dependable academics, deep activities, and UNL access.

Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Choosing a Public High School

• Academic outcomes that match your student — Compare published ACT averages, proficiency rates, and graduation rates from NDE rather than reputation alone. Millard North and the Lincoln East-class schools lead on test data.
• AP and dual-enrollment access — Confirm the specific AP courses and college partnerships offered; Millard North, Lincoln East, and Westside have the broadest catalogs and strongest university ties.
• Student-teacher ratio and resources — Smaller ratios near 16:1 at the Millard and Elkhorn schools often mean more individual attention than the busiest campuses.
• Activities and fit — Whether your student wants debate, DECA, JROTC, music, or championship athletics, match the program depth to the student, not the trophy case.
• Location and community — Innovative scheduling at Westside, UNL access in Lincoln, and fast-growing Sarpy County campuses each suit different families.

What matters less than marketing implies: a single year's championship banner or a flashy new building. Sustained graduation rates, AP access, and teacher quality shape outcomes far more than headline wins.

FAQ

Which is the best public high school in Nebraska? Millard North High School earns our top spot for its ACT average near 24, 20-plus AP courses, strong college pipeline, and a graduation rate around 95% — the strongest all-around package in the state.

What is the best value public high school in Nebraska? Lincoln East High School is our Best Value, delivering a broad AP catalog, an average ACT near 23, and University of Nebraska–Lincoln access at zero tuition.

Which Nebraska high schools have the best college pipelines? Millard North, Elkhorn South, and the Lincoln schools feed strongly into the University of Nebraska system, with broad dual-enrollment and internship access.

How do Nebraska ACT scores compare across these schools? Top schools like Millard North post averages near 24, while most strong picks land near 22–23, generally above the statewide average.

Which schools are best for a unique academic model? Westside High School stands out for its modular scheduling that builds college-ready independence, while Omaha Central offers a historic, debate-rich college-prep experience.

Are these schools free to attend? Yes. Every school on this list is a public high school funded through Nebraska's school system, so there is no tuition for resident families.

Bottom Line

For Nebraska families, Millard North High School is our Best Overall public high school — it wins on its ACT average near 24, 20-plus AP courses, strong college pipeline, and a graduation rate around 95%. Lincoln East High School is our Best Value, delivering near-top academics and UNL access for the price of a free public seat.

If your priorities lean toward a west-Omaha suburb, a Sarpy County campus, or an innovative scheduling model, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Elkhorn South, Gretna, or Westside instead. Choose on graduation rates, AP access, and fit rather than headline wins, and your student will thrive.

Sources

• U.S. News — Best High Schools in Nebraska
• Niche — Best Public High Schools in Nebraska
• GreatSchools — Nebraska school ratings
• Nebraska Department of Education (NDE)
• College Board — AP program data
• NCES — National Center for Education Statistics
• Millard Public Schools
• Lincoln Public Schools
• Westside Community Schools
• Omaha Public Schools

*Public high schools in Nebraska review — best public high schools Nebraska, rankings, ratings, review 2027, and a review of the top picks for families.*